Jesus spent thirty years in private preparation for three years of public service. He knew the necessary need to wait on His Heavenly Father for the power of His blessing, before He embarked on His eternal mission. What passionate desire has the Lord laid on your heart that awaits you thorough preparation? Like Elijah, you first prepare an altar of sacrifice by faith, and wait on God to send forth His fire from heaven to ignite your work.

Similarly to Jesus, you probably depend on others as part of your preparation process. The creditability of John the Baptist paved the way for the “Lamb of God”. In the same way, the good reputation of trusted friends can accelerate your success. This is why it is wise to wait on the endorsement of other trusted leaders. Pay the price of being mentored, before you run ahead to your next assignment. New leaders need the old leaders approval.

Pain is another product of preparation. Until your perspective has been seasoned by adversity, your confidence has not been tempered away from arrogance and toward humility. God doesn’t waste pain, as it produces the character required to represent Christ. It’s in our hurt that we cry out in humble dependence, confession and repentance. We learn the good and the bad about ourselves in pain’s process. Pain produces patience.

Are you expecting to receive the fruit of preparation without paying the price to prepare? Ministers who prepare are endowed with power from on high. Preparation precedes anointing. Parents who prepare learn from experienced parents. Preparation precedes obedient children. Students who prepare privately are recognized publically. Preparation precedes education. Leaders who prepare their minds and hearts feel God’s favor.

What is your next step in the process of preparation? Is it to silently serve the poor, or to boldly challenge the rich? Is it to earnestly work with your hands, so you can better relate with your head? Do not dismiss thorough preparation in place of zealous shortcuts. Stay the course in Christ’s school of learning submission, as His power rests on the prepared.

“Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!” (1 Kings 18:37-39).
What patient preparation do I need to complete? Am I serving others in God’s power?

Related Readings: Psalm 85:13; Amos 4:12; Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:21

The wisdom of God goes beyond your ability to understand right and wrong. Wisdom transcends uncertainty in areas that may be unclear and murky. Wisdom asks, why do you want to do want you want to do? What is your motive? Is your drive to succeed for you, or do you strive for excellence, because it is the Lord’s expectation for you?

Wisdom sees opportunities as options to further God’s Kingdom, rather than a way to expand self-appointed power and status. The Lord is looking for other-centered people whose heart’s desire is to obey Him. Yes, books can increase your knowledge, but only God can bestow wisdom. Knowledge that just feeds pride and ego misses wisdom.

People are not impressed by what you know. They are attracted to what you do with what you know. Wisdom applies God’s perspective by transforming the human worldview. For example, you decide not to marry someone because it is not the wise thing to do. They are a nice person, intelligent; financially secure and even religious, but they lack an unselfish commitment to you and God. Wisdom waits for what’s best.

Thus, wisdom comes from God and it’s received through a heart of character. The Lord does not entrust His thoughts with someone who will prostitute His wisdom for wrong purposes. He looks for a heart of humility and honesty. A wise person prays to God and says, “I need you and I need your direction. Without your wisdom, I am lost and unclear in your ways”. Humility is the gateway to wisdom and honesty applies it well.

Your humility means you are teachable to learn from God. Your honesty means you will use God’s wisdom in an honorable way. Wisdom can be used to settle disputes between individuals or organizations. It can serve you in becoming an expert in your field. Wisdom takes knowledge, and, like paint in the hands of a gifted artist, creates beauty.

Wisdom leads you in your decision making process, so you are consistent to ask, “What is the wise thing to do?” You search the Scriptures daily and God fills your heart with wisdom. You enjoy the company of wise people; learn from their mistakes and from their wise choices. Wisdom is not microwavable, for it comes over time. Be patient. Talk to God about your need for wisdom, as He gives freely to all who ask with a humble heart.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Am I wise to seek the Lord’s wisdom and the wisdom of His humble servants? What is the wise thing to do right now?

Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 1:11-12; Daniel 2:23; Mark 6:3; Ephesians 1:17

Doubt seeks to destroy our faith. It is in our discouragement—even despair—that we begin to question God. “What did I do wrong?” “Lord did you call me to this place of confusion?” “Where is my joy and hope?” “Are you even real or just a figment of my imagination?” Left to its natural conclusion doubt crushes our faith in Christ.

Fortunately, faith does not have to take a furlough when we are frustrated and fatigued. It is in your confinement that Christ wants to remind you of His great power. So cry out to Him in your confused circumstances and He will earnestly listen in love. “In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears” (2 Samuel 22:7). He does not leave His loved ones alone and in doubt.

It is ok to be in doubt, but it is not ok to remain in doubt. What doubts challenge your faith in God? His provision? His promises? His presence? His character? His care? When these questions assault your confidence in Christ take a step back and review His track record. The reality of your salvation set you on the productive path of peace and forgiveness. Answered prayer over the years is proof enough of His love and concern.

Furthermore, use this temporary time of distrust to go deeper with Jesus. The pressure you feel on all sides is your Savior’s way to solicit your attention. When in doubt seek out the Lord, learn to love Him completely, and discern more fully His profound promises. Use doubt to dig deeper into the truth of Scripture, marinate your mind, “Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).

When in doubt stay steadfast in seeking out your Savior. Wait on Him, especially when you wonder what’s next. Where there is true faith there may be a mixture of unbelief, so remain faithful even when questions fondle your faith. Perseverance will one day free you as a stronger and more committed follower of Christ. See Jesus for who He is–as doubt dissolves in His reassuring presence. Doubt starves to death when it’s not fed.

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the LORD, who remains faithful forever” (Psalm 146:5-6).
What doubts do I need to acknowledge and release to God? Is Christ trustworthy?

Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 33:12; Job 36:16-19; John 20:27; Jude 1:22

Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading? How will I respond?